Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT) launched the ‘Hello My Name Is’ campaign at the hospital, with more than 1,000 staff signing up to the initiative.

The campaign was founded by the late Kate Granger, a doctor from the UK who was diagnosed with terminal cancer five years ago. Her own personal observations of being a patient was how rarely staff introduced themselves to patients by name. In a very moving account, she outlines how this lack of personal interaction compounded her fears and feelings of isolation.

As a result of her experience, Dr Granger started an online social media campaign with the simple hashtag #hellomynameis to encourage and remind healthcare staff about the importance of introductions.

The campaign became a resounding success in the UK and has since crossed the Irish Sea to a number of hospitals in Ireland including St James Hospital and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. MRHT is the latest Irish hospital to adopt the initiative.

Last March, Katherine Kenny (Director of Nursing), Mary Jane Burke, (Assistant Director of Nursing) and Claire Foley, (Nurse Practice Development Facilitator) from Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore were fortunate enough to meet with Dr Kate Granger and were struck by her emotional story, her unrelenting passion, and the simplicity of the concept.

Director of Nursing at MRHT, Katherine Kenny, is one of the leaders and champions behind the campaign. Speaking at the launch she said: “Personal interaction between patients and staff is the basis for an effective therapeutic relationship. The simple act of introducing yourself to a patient instantly creates a rapport and allows the patient, and indeed their families, to be more at ease.

“Since meeting with Kate Granger last March, we have been determined to continue her important legacy and bring her story to the attention of our team. Indeed, I am delighted to say that more than 1,000 of our staff have pledged their support to the campaign.”

MRHT has been preparing to launch ‘Hello my name is’ since March. This has included assigning campaign champions from all disciplines across the hospital, and creating new name badges for all staff to include the ‘Hello my name is’ logo. The name badges were sponsored by Friends of the Hospital, Tullamore. Other local Tullamore businesses supporting the campaign are Tullamore Court Hotel, Galvins for Men, Bridge House Hotel, Dolans Pharmacy, Kode, and Fitzpatrick Garages.

This launch comes in the aftermath of Kate Granger’s untimely passing in July and will ensure her legacy lives on.

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